CMG programs operate at the county level with primary support from the county government. Applicants should generally apply to their county of residency. In special situations (such as the work location versus the home location) a potential volunteer may apply to a neighboring county. However, it should be understood that most counties give priority to county residents, being responsive to the local county budget and local taxpayers.

To be more inclusive of varying needs of CMG Volunteers and ensure that each volunteer is engaged in an active local CMG Program, the following clarifies cross-county enrollment procedures (new students and transferring volunteers) in the CMG Program.

Residents from CMG Program Counties applying to neighboring CMG Program Counties

Colorado Gardener Certificate Students – Residents may register in a neighboring county based on available space and payment of fees (same process as an in-county registration).

CMG Volunteers

In general, applicants are encouraged to apply to their home county program. It is recognized that some potential applicants may better connect to a neighboring county (due to work, social, and family settings) rather than then their county of residency.

Residents may apply as a volunteer to another county under a written memorandum of agreement. The agreement basically includes the following:

Statement clarifying the situation why the applicant prefers membership in a program outside their county of residence.

Statement clarifying that the volunteer work will be done in and behalf of the host county.

Statement clarifying that volunteer engagement support will be provided through the host county (that the non-county resident volunteer will be active member of the host county CMG Program) including:

Communications links between the CMG volunteer and the CMG Program

CMG outreach activities links

CMG continuing education links

Volunteer reporting links

Volunteer recognition links

Clarifying that the volunteer is not at will to floating between CMG Program in their county of residents and the host county.

The memorandum of agreement is agreed upon and signed as part of the application/transfer process by the CMG applicant, the hosting county CMG Program agent and the county of residence agent.

The memorandum of agreement remains in effect while the volunteer is active in the CMG program. It may be modified with written agreement of all parties. The volunteer remains a fully active member of the host county CMG Program.

Residents of Extension Counties without a CMG Programs applying to neighboring CMG Programs

Colorado Gardener Certificate Students – Residents may register in a neighboring county based on available space and payment of fees (same process as an in-county registration).

CMG Volunteers – Non-county residents may apply to a neighboring county under a written memorandum of agreement in one of two programming options, as follows:

Volunteering for the host county – work will be done for and in behalf of the host county. The memorandum of agreement includes the following items:

Statement clarifying that the volunteer work will be done in and behalf of the host county. The volunteer understands and accepts the travel commitment between the between counties. Travel time occurred for volunteer outreach activities is counted towards volunteer hours.

Statement clarifying that volunteer engagement support will be provided through the host county (that the non-county resident volunteer will be a regular active member of the host county CMG Program), including:

Communications links between the CMG volunteer and the CMG Program

CMG outreach activities links

CMG continuing education links

Volunteer reporting links

Volunteer recognition links

The memorandum of agreement is agreed upon and signed as part of the application process by the CMG applicant, the hosting county CMG Program agent and the county of residence agent.

The memorandum of agreement remains in effect while the volunteer is active in the CMG program. It may be modified with written agreement of all parties. The volunteer remains a fully active member of the host county CMG Program.

Cross-county outreach project – volunteer service may include special cross-county volunteer projects. The memorandum of agreement include the following items:

Communications links, related to the special project, between the volunteer and agents

Technical support links, related to the special project, between the volunteer and agents

Statement clarifying that volunteer engagement support will be provided through the host county (that the non-county resident volunteer will be a regular active member of the host county CMG Program) including:

Communications links between the volunteer and the CMG Program

Inclusion in host county CMG outreach activities options

CMG continuing education links

Volunteer reporting links

Volunteer recognition links

Statement clarifying any specific division of volunteer efforts and other program support concerns between counties, as appropriate

The memorandum of agreement is agreed upon and signed as part of the application process by the CMG applicant, the hosting county CMG Program agent and the county of residence agent and county directors.

The memorandum of agreement remains in effect while the volunteer is active in the CMG program. It may be modified with written agreement of all parties. The volunteer remains a fully active member of the host county CMG Program.

It is responsibility of the volunteer and/or resident county agent to initiate cross-county special projects.

Residents from Non-Extension Counties (counties where the County Commission elects not to fund the Extension Partnership)

Colorado Gardener Certificate students – Residents may register in a neighboring county based on available space and payment of fees.

CMG Volunteers – Residents may not apply to or transfer to a neighboring county as CMG volunteers. If a county terminates funding of the Extension partnership, current CMG volunteers will be “released” from volunteer service. All CMG program outreach and training ends within the county.